Chief Risk Officer

At Equitable, we believe work should be a place where you feel supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. In our caring and collaborative environment, your curiosity is encouraged, your passion is recognized, and your contributions truly matter. Together, we create meaningful impact; for our clients, our communities, and each other.

The Opportunity:

At Equitable, our focus is on making a meaningful impact in the lives of Canadians by putting clients at the heart of everything we do. We lead with empathy, act with intention, stay curious, and support one another every step of the way. If you're looking for purpose-driven work in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your voice is heard, and your growth is encouraged we’d love to connect.

As Chief Risk Officer, you will lead the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management function, providing independent oversight of all risks, shaping the risk appetite framework, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while reporting directly to senior leadership and the Board.

Join one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers for 2025 and Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers for 2024 and be part of something that matters.

Position Title: Chief Risk Officer

Reports To: Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer

Department : Risk Management

Term: Permanent Full-Time

Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.

What you will be doing:

- Develop and maintain enterprise-wide risk policies and frameworks, including ERM, Reinsurance, Product Design & Pricing, Model Risk, and Third-Party/Vendor Risk;

- Lead the annual Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) and report findings to Senior Management, the Board, and regulators;

- Establish and recommend financial and operational risk limits, pricing standards, and profitability measures;

- Build and maintain operational risk frameworks, conduct risk assessments, and monitor emerging risks (cyber, climate, model, third-party);

- Develop models to measure financial risks (credit, market, insurance) and monitor exposures;

- Provide independent risk assessments for new products, reinsurance transactions, and strategic initiatives;

- Chair the Senior Risk and Capital Committee and present risk reports and dashboards to Senior Management and the Board;

- Foster a risk-aware culture, support risk mitigation strategies, and provide education and tools across the organization;

- Stay current on regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and emerging risk trends; represent the company in industry forums.

What you will bring:

- University degree in mathematics, actuarial science or finance-based discipline or FSA/FCIA designation;

- Minimum 15 years of experience in the financial services industry with exposure to actuarial and risk functions including a minimum 5 years in risk management;

- Deep knowledge of the life and health insurance, annuity and segregated fund businesses including product design, pricing methodologies and assumptions and business risks;

- Deep knowledge of actuarial and investment principles and practices including actuarial valuation, financial condition stress testing and asset-liability management;

- Strong knowledge of the regulatory capital and risk assessment requirements for Canadian life insurance companies;

- Strong knowledge of financial risk measurement and modelling techniques and financial risk management practices for a life insurance company;

- Strong knowledge of operational risk management practices for a life insurance company including cyber security risk, model risk, compliance risk, fraud risk and process error risk;

- Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards and requirements for Canadian life insurance companies;

- Excellent analytical, problem solving and organizational skills;

- Strong influencing and interpersonal skills;

- Excellent written communication and presentation skills including the ability to explain technically complex issues in a clear and concise way across various stakeholder groups including the Board of Directors;

- Abstract, strategic and forward-looking thinker (over a multi-decade time horizon).

What’s in it for you:

- A workplace where care, passion, and curiosity aren’t just values, they’re how we work, grow, and succeed together every day;

- A healthy work-life balance with employee wellness top of mind;

- Annual bonus program, annual vacation allowance, and company-paid benefits program;

- Generous vacation package with one volunteer day to give back to a charity of your choice;

- Immediate enrollment in the company’s pension program with employer matching;

- Employee resource groups that support an inclusive work environment;

- Tuition support and specialized program assistance;

- An onsite full-service cafeteria with a variety of daily options;

- Discounts on company products and services, and access to exclusive employee perks;

- Regular EQ Together events focused on company togetherness and collaboration.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates may be asked to complete an assessment and will be required to undergo background screening, in accordance with company policy.

This position is available due to an existing vacancy.

We're dedicated to inclusive and accessible hiring practices. If you require accommodations or alternative formats, please contact us at careers@equitable.ca .

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